Potato-digger



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3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

POTATO BIGGER.

(No Model.)

II II! 4 171222 22. o r. L M4 w-fig (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. E. JACKSON.

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O.E.JAGKSON.

POTATO BIGGER. i No. 542,259. Patented July 9, 1895.

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F NITED STATES .ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. JACKSON, OF KINGS, ILLINOIS.

POTATO-BIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 542,259, dated July 9,1895.

Application filed March 12, 1895- Serial No. 541,507- (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. JACKSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kings, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Potato-Diggers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a potato-assorter which isadapted to different makes of potato-diggers; and it consists of arotary drum, into which the potatoes are deposited by the digger, which,being supported at a downward angle, will deliver the potatoes at itslowest end.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improvedpotato-separator. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an end elevationof the discharge end. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on dotted line a,Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a vertical lengthwise section of a portion of thepotato-elevator.

My improved potato-assorter is especially adapted for use in connectionwith the potatodigger shown in my application filed October 29, 1894,Serial No. 527,262, in which the potatoes and such dirt as clingsthereto are elevated by the potato-elevator in order to be deliveredonto an assorter.

The main frame 1 supports carrying-wheels 2, and at its rear end aresecured uprights 3, the potato-elevator consisting of the side bars 4,supporting aseries of lengthwise bars 5 and a shaft 6 at their upperends. Inside of the upper ends of the side bars and to the shaft 6 aresecured sprocket-wheels, over which pass linked chains 7, and to thesechains are connected cross-bars 8, each supporting a series of teeth 9,and to their under faces are socured blocks 10, guided between thelengthwise bars 5. Arotary movement is imparted to the shaft 6 by achain-belt connection with the sprocket-wheel 11, said chain having aconnection with the driving-axle or parts operated thereby. As the shaftis rotated, the chain-belt 7 will move upward on the upper face of theelevator .carrying the cross-bars 8, and should the space between thebars 5 clog with dirt the blocks 10 will clear them, thus keeping thespace open, so that the dirt from the potatoes may pass through. Thiselevator-frame may be supported .in any suitable manner by the mainframe, such as the supports 12. To the upper ends of the side barsd ispivoted a frame 13. This frameis composed of the side bars 14 and endbars 15,the side bars being supported upon rollers 16, secured to theinner frame of the uprights 3. A shaft 17 is supported by the end barsand extends centrally of the frame in its lengthwise direction. Uponthis shaft are secured two heads 18, which are each provided withperforations, through which pass rods 19, forming a cylinder of rodsextending in the lengthwise direction of the shaft 17. The ends of theserods are held in place by a'ring 20 at each end. To the end of the shaftnext to the potato-elevatoris secured a miter gear-wheel 21, whichmeshes with a like miter gear-wheel 22, secured to a shaft 23, extendingcrosswise of the machine and supported by brackets 24, secured to theupper end bar of the frame supporting the cylinder. sprocket-wheel 25,secured to its outer end,

which has a connection with a sprocket-wheel 26, secured to the shaft 6by a'linked chain 27. Thus a rotary movement is imparted to thecylinder. L

To the upper end bar supporting thecylin- I der is secured a chutecomposed of the rods 28, which extend a short distance within the upperopen end of the cylinder, and into this chute the potatoes are depositedby the potato-elevator, and in the rotary movement of the cylinder thepotatoes will be carried upward until gravity causes them to roll over,and owing to the incline of the cylinder they will finally be dischargedat its lower open end, and this movement will cause the potatoes to rubagainst each other, removing the dirt from them, which, in connectionwith the small potatoes, will pass through the openings between the rodscomposing the cylinder. At the discharge end of the cylinder is locateda platform, forming a support for the attendant, and above this platformis located atable, having an opening 29, through which the potatoes passinto bags or other receptacles placed beneath the tables.

Upon the shaft 17 is located a cut-off 30, having a handle 31, whichwhen in the position shown in solid lines, Fig. 3, allows the dischargeof the potatoes from the cylinder,but when extended into the positionshown in dotted lines will form an end to the cylinder,

This shaft has a holding the potatoes in check until a new bag or otherreceptacle is placed in position. Beneath this cylinder is located asitter composed of a frame in semicircular form, which supports rods 32,extending in the lengthwise direction of the cylinder some distancebelow it. The frame has a swinging connection with the side bars 14through the medium of the links 33, and to the frame are connected rods34 at one end, their other end having a connection with a crank 35,secured to the shaft 6, outside of the sprocket-wheels 11 and 26, and asthis shaft rotates these cranks will, through the rod connection, imparta swinging or jolting movement to the sifters. The small potatoes thatpass through the opening in the cylinder will be received by thissitter, and after all dirt has been removed therefrom will be dischargedinto a chute 36, carried by CHARLES E. JACKSON. Witnesses:

A. O. BEHEL, E. BEHEL.

